Portrait lighting takes a good eye for nuance, and as such, it can be easy to overlook smaller details that detract from the overall quality of the image. If you would like to improve your portrait lighting, check out this helpful video tutorial that demonstrates a common mistakes and how you can fix it to improve the quality of your portraits.
Coming to you from John Gress, this awesome video tutorial discusses the issue of shadow fill in portrait photography. As you will see, you can use both passive and active fill. The advantage of passive fill is that it is both cheaper and simpler; after all, most newer photographers begin with just a single light, and that is actually advantageous, as it will help you to learn lighting in an easier and more straightforward manner. On the other hand, the advantage of active fill (using another light) is that you get complete control over the strength and look of the shadows, allowing you to finely sculpt your subject's rendering along with the rest of the frame. Both are perfectly valid methods; the important takeaway is that you pay attention to shadow fill and make intentional decisions about it. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
